Hi ED, A couple of points. First, I think Siska was referring to the nanas (or nyanas) which are a bit different from the jhanas. Jhanas are states of absorption that one experiences as a result of concentrating (samatha) on an object of meditation (usually the breath). Nanas are (16) stages of insight (vipassana) gained when we look inside and become acutely aware of our sensate world. For example, by focusing our attention on bodily pain we can come to realise its impermanence
and thus the 3 Characters of Existence (this is the 3rd stage of the nanas - the first 2 are: 1) body and mind and 2) cause and effect). The jhanas alone won't give you wisdom, only vipassana will, but they're useful for giving one the state of mind to go deeper into vipassana. Mike ________________________________ From: ED <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 23:17 Subject: Re: [Zen] Zen, zen and Theravada Buddhism siska, jnana is a word more applicable Hinduism than Buddhism, I think. --ED Web definitions for jnana * Jё─Бna or gё─Бna (Sanskrit: ) is the Sanskrit term for knowledge or philosophy. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jnana * jnana - knowledge, as acquired through meditation, that one's self (atman) is identical with Ultimate Reality Brahman; pure awareness that is free of conceptual encumbrances en.wiktionary.org/wiki/jnana * jnana - Wisdom; higher intellect. www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/glossary_fk.htm * jnana - derived from the Sanskrit root jna, to know, to learn, to experience. In the context of Bhagavad-gita and the Upanisads, jnana is generally used in the sense of spiritual knowledge or awareness. www.sanskrit.org/www/Sanskrit/sanskritterms.htm * jnana - (Monism - Voidism - or atheism). Jnana is a branch of Hinduism that is opposite of Hinduism in that, though based on the same books, interprets God as being "0" or the anti-god, God NOT being a person, while the anti-god is a Void. This Voidism is composed entirely of nothing. ... uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Hinduism * jnana - knowledge; wisdom; knowledge of the Attributeless. vahini.org/sss/iv/glossary.html * jnana - Knowledge; sacred knowledge, especially derived from meditation.Saturn and Ketu lead to the realization of spiritual truths and understanding of deeper cosmic laws. www.findyourfate.com/faq/j-glossary.htm * jnana - "Wisdom". Refers to the path of yoga in which the individual practices the patient, systematic exploration and disciplining of the mind and emotions. www.yogaquest.com.au/glossary-of-terms.html Web definitions for jhana * Jh─Бna (P─Бli: рдЭрди; Sanskrit: рдзреНрдпрд╛рди Dhy─Бna) is a meditative state of profound stillness and concentration. It is sometimes taught as an abiding in which the mind becomes fully immersed and absorbed in the chosen object of attention,characterized by non-dual consciousness. ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jh─Бna * (Dhyana) Also Ch'an (Chinese) and Zen (Japanese). Advanced meditation. The fifth of the Six Paramitas. www.thebuddhistsociety.org/resources/Glossary.html * (Pali. Lit: absorption) A state of mental unification where consciousness is absorbed in a specific object, arising through the cultivation of samatha. www.gaiahouse.co.uk/page.php * Meditative absorptions. Tranquillity meditation. www.vipassana.com/meditation/khema/hereandnow/glossary.phЕ * 4 stages of meditative states on the way to enlightenment see 4 Jhanas www.angelfire.com/rings/novice-buddest/Glossery.htm * (from the Pali, Sanskrit, 'meditation', 'absorption'). In traditional Buddhism, the scheme of meditational practice which leads to *samadhi; the different stages within that scheme; any kind of mental concentration or effort. Consult the ODWR for the full entry. www.bloomington.in.us/~okolicko/definitions-2.html * Meditative absorption. A state of strong concentration, devoid of sensuality or unskillful thoughts, focused on a single physical sensation or mental notion which is then expanded to fill the whole range of one's awareness. ... homepages.hawaiian.net/dsparks/dhp_Folder/glossary.html --- In [email protected], siska_cen@... wrote: > > Hi again Ed, > > Btw, have you ever read anything on the Theravada nana (insight)? What do you > think, is it the same with kensho-satori? > > Siska
